Unhappy parents living near a Wokingham playground have expressed their disappointment after plans for an £80,000 revamp were withdrawn over concerns the area would be turned into a “theme park”.

Last week Wokingham Town Council revealed plans to update the facilities at Langborough Recreation Ground between Gipsy Lane and Fairview Road, with new equipment and an outdoor adult gym.

But the plans prompted a backlash from neighbours who raised concerns that the enlarged play area, which would more than double in size from 680 square metres to 1,724 square metres, would attract anti-social behaviour and vandalism.

The town council withdrew the plans following the concerns but now other neighbours have stepped forward to say they were looking forward to the redevelopment of the area.

Clare Sudlow, from Howard Road, said redevelopment of the area was long overdue and it was frustrating that the plans had been withdrawn.

The mum-of-three said: “We have been waiting for this for a long time.

“The plans for Langborough were there but now they have been withdrawn because it’s all been blown out of proportion.

“People think we are creating this great big park but we are talking about revamping a park that local people use.

“The surfacing there at the moment is diabolical and my children trip on it all the time. It’s not fit for use.”

It was proposed the park would have been revamped with equipment for six to 12-year-olds and over 12s.

Sophie Scott, from Crescent Road, who has children aged 11, nine and six, said the plans would have been ideal for older children.

She said: “The revamp is long overdue.

“My children have had a play park in walking distance all these years but they don’t want to use it because it’s so rubbish.

“Surely the sight of children playing would be a good site for residents to look at rather than looking at an empty playground?”

Mum-of-two Lucy Allen, from Langborough Road, also expressed her disappointed and said claims that the proposals would result in a “theme park” were unsubstantiated.

She said: “The issue about it being a Disney-style theme park does not ring true.

“It’s not much bigger than the existing play area and it’s a huge park.

“I am really disappointed the plans have been withdrawn and hope Wokingham Town Council can put an application in which is similar.”

Paul Smith, amenities officer at Wokingham Town Council, said the plans had been withdrawn at the beginning of last week after people contacted the council with concerns over the extent of the development.

He said: “In view of that, the councillors thought it best not to proceed.

“A number of people then came along and said they thought it was a good idea.

“There is going to be a fresh consultation with the residents.”

Mr Smith said a questionnaire would be sent out to around 350 homes near the recreation ground with three options for the site.

One option would be to keep the existing size of the play area but replace equipment.

Another would be to enlarge the area by around 20 or 30 per cent or to stick with the original plans for a large-scale expansion of the play area.

He said: “As soon as we get the questionnaire written we will send it out.

“Hopefully this time next month we should be in a position to know where we are.”